The issue with common areas in buildings, parks, and public gathering places is that it’s not just a waiting place anymore. If you’ve ever been somewhere, you want to remain occupied and productive. You want to be connected to the Internet, and since WiFi is integrated into almost every device, providing it in public areas makes sense if the goal is to encourage repeat visits.
Let’s face it, public WiFi is an expectation of almost everyone. Whether it’s in a park, a waiting area in an office, or a building lobby, you expect to see an available public network.
While personal mobile data (4G/5G) is useful, public spaces have to offer more robust connectivity. Providing WiFi is essential, and while most offices likely have internal WiFi for their office staff, a separate public network for visitors and customers is also necessary.
Most places of business, like doctor’s offices and gyms, already offer free WiFi for customers, so why not all common areas? It only makes sense.
In many large multi-tenant buildings, both residential and commercial, public WiFi is often overlooked. This oversight is often due to management’s reluctance to implement it, despite frequent complaints from those waiting or needing to work remotely from these spaces.
Real Estate Solutions
Landlords should consider selecting a provider to design and implement a WiFi network. Providing WiFi access in common areas is a valuable amenity for tenants. Vendors can also be given the option to connect their sales systems to this network. This represents a sound business investment that enhances the property’s value and differentiates it.
In a place of business, providing WiFi is a logical choice. In an office building, WiFi access is generally expected, not only by those working in the offices but also by patrons of small kiosks and food vendors located in the lobby.
Large residential buildings are often overlooked. However, providing WiFi is equally important in these settings to enhance value and create a welcoming lobby for both residents and their guests. When implemented effectively, the lobby can become an extension of residents’ living spaces.
The Great Outdoors
People forget about coverage in courtyards and parks. These areas should also not be overlooked. They are a key attraction to many communities, whether it’s a business complex or a public park. Providing connectivity in sitting areas greatly enhances their usability, allowing people to stay in touch, work, and ultimately adds significant value.
Why Public WiFi is Essential
When public areas lack WiFi, people notice and complain. The Internet has become integral to accessing entertainment, news, and maintaining social connections. Therefore, public spaces are no longer perceived solely as waiting areas but rather as spaces where individuals expect to engage in productive and entertaining activities.
Managed WiFi or WiFi as a Service
A simple solution is to offload the service to a managed WiFi service provider. So many real estate managers and park managers worry about how to implement something like WiFi. It’s not as easy as you may think.
The mistake many make is by simply calling an IT person to put in a few WiFi hotspots. This sounds inexpensive and easy, but the reality is that the coverage and performance will be minimal at best. The reliability of the network is a paramount consideration. System monitoring should be implemented to identify and rectify any service disruptions before they elicit complaints. Furthermore, continuous evaluation and integration of current technologies are essential to ensure optimal network performance and promote continued usage.
That is why it may be best to offload to a managed WiFi service provider that can install, commission, integrate and maintain the network. If they have a NOC (Network Operations Center) that can monitor and do updates, that is an added plus.
Offloading technology and support onto someone else ensures teams can focus on core operations such as business, advertising, and marketing efforts.
Choose Wifinium
Choosing the right network partner, particularly for wireless solutions, hinges on finding a provider offering comprehensive end-to-end support. A strong partner should guide the entire process, from initial planning and integration through final implementation and ongoing management via a dedicated US-based NOC. The right partner possesses expertise in evaluating technical challenges, integrating core technologies, and managing daily project execution, with a focus on wireless communications, networking, and security, complemented by robust post-integration support from their NOC team.
Wifinium, a provider of critical, commercial-grade connectivity solutions, exemplifies this approach. The Wifinium team designs, builds, and manages diverse wireless networks—large, indoor, and outdoor—leveraging in-depth knowledge of wireless and network design and implementation, with extensive experience across education, transportation, government, and venue verticals.
Born from Business Information Group, Inc. (BIG Wireless), Wifinium’s project teams comprise industry-leading professionals with extensive experience in turnkey end-to-end design, implementation, integration, testing, and turn-up of wireless networks. Serving clients across North America, with a strong presence in the Northeast and a rapidly growing client base in the Southeast, Wifinium’s leadership boasts over 200 years of cumulative experience in wireless technologies.
